Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend EU foreign ministers’ informal video conference on Thursday 19 November 2020.
The items on the agenda will include multilateral cooperation and an exchange of views with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki.
At the meeting with Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riad Al-Malki, the foreign ministers will discuss Palestinian general elections and opportunities to revitalize the peace process between Palestine and Israel.
Finland is of the opinion that the EU should stress the importance of the elections to the Palestinian Authority.
"Building settlements and the illegal actions linked to them are contrary to international law. In efforts to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict, it is essential that the negotiations leading to a two-state solution, which would be conducted in compliance with international law and prior agreements, be resumed," the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
Multilateralism
The foreign ministers will also have a discussion about multilateralism and debate how the EU could reinvigorate the rules-based international system.
According to government information, Finland considers it important that the EU play an active role in the matter.
"Such global challenges as arms control, climate change and pandemics call for global solutions and multilateral cooperation," the Foreign Ministry said. Finland supports the reform of the UN and underlines the EU’s active role and unity.
The ministers will also briefly deal with the US elections, but a more comprehensive discussion on transatlantic relations will be held in December.
Additionally, Finland will report on the 2020 Afghanistan Conference, which it co-hosts with the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations in Geneva on 23-24 November.
